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I hope everyone has
enjoyed the weeks since convention playing with all your
"holiday" treats!

I can't help but
feel that time has passed too quickly -- one day I'm excitedly
planning a holiday gala for friends, then before you know it, the
holiday fun is over and I'm left missing everyone --happy with
beautiful memories but longing to make more!

Aside from a few brief
moments of post "holiday melancholy", I've been too busy still
playing "Santa Sandra" -shipping absentee
packages, filling orders and answering emails -- to feel
lonesome for long!Thinking back on the
festivities it all seems a bit surreal, so it's great to be able
to relive our wonderful weekend through your many emails, posts and
photos!My blessings come to
mind often since convention and, before continuing,
I would like to take a moment to share my thoughts
on some that added to the "Every Day's A Holiday"
feeling for me this year...I'm always thrilled
when new friends attend and those who've missed convention are
with us again. This year I was especially delighted, as not only did we have
the opportunity to welcome several new friends but some that we've missed dearly joined us once more!

To add to my happiness
about the event, after 30 years (or longer), I very recently
reconnected with one of my closest childhood friends, Carla, who drove to
Kansas City to help out with all the pre convention work! (My "elves"
have officially adopted Carla, and are hoping we can talk her into
coming NEXT year for the whole convention!) Though not normally
considered a holiday, something that made this occasion even
more meaningful to me is the fact it marked the 10th anniversary of
meeting my dear friend and "right
hand", Michael -- a blessing that has enriched my life
in so many ways! Thank you, Michael
Basala, for your immeasurable friendship, support, help and
understanding these past 10 years! The "holidays" would not have been
so wonderful without you by my side! "Every Day's A
Holiday" was a theme that I dreamed of for years, and I couldn't
be more proud of how that dream unfolded into reality! I'd
like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many friends who were
instrumental in making that happen...

An event such as
"Every Day's A Holiday" takes a lot of "elves" working
behind the scenes to make happen! It's impossible to give
thanks enough to my volunteer staff of
"elves" who worked tirelessly, cheerfully and selflessly to make my
"holiday" dreams come true! Sherlyn Lovell, Sherry Wisdom, Barb
Koffman, Linda Farnsworth, Michael Zepeda, Kate Watson, Cathy Roach, Gary
Reeves --and Michael B, too -- Your support and dedication is what makes
the "magic" happen! I love and appreciate you guys
more than you'll ever know -- and feel truly blessed to have each of you in my
life! You are a joy to work with and I am so very thankful for your friendships!!

Besides my core staff,
we were blessed to have several 'part time elves" pitch in at
convention to make sure holiday goodies were ready for on time
"holiday" delivery! Sue Connor, Rose Gillis, Terri Gold, Linda
Kreigbaum, Judy Richardson, Kelly Ryan, Terri Sansoucy, Kathy Spoon and
Cheryl Stillman -- thank you! We couldn't have made it without
your assistance!

Our fabulous holiday
table gifts this year were due, in large part, to the generosity, talent,
hard work and donations of several friends I want to recognize,
as their contributions were the "stars" on top of the Christmas
tree...

Cathy Roach -- Many
thanks for the amazing wrapping paper set, miniature cards and valentines,
mini Halloween and shopping bags, record albums, lobby cards and 4th of July
fan. I know how much work went into each
piece -- your creativity and talent boggles my mind!

Annie Sattler -- A new
friend and first timer to convention -- thanks SO much for your hours of
work on my "Sandra Stillwell Presents" logo hatbox artwork,
4th of July sheet music, both the Modes Royal magazine and Kansas
City poster photoshop work, and last, but certainly not least -- the
wonderful miniature "Every Day's A Holiday" calendar! Thank you for
jumping in to help without knowing exactly what you were getting into!

Kathy Spoon -- For the
great TWA minis and much, much more -- thank you for always
being there for me.

Nikki Colbert --
For the Modes Royal magazine and mini lobby cards, not to mention your
hard work putting together the power point programs -- I am so
appreciative!

And, for indulging
me with the festive holiday purses, felt skirts and so much
more -- Kim Hayes, Linda
Kreigbaum and Judy Richardson -- Thanks to each of you ladies for the
hours of work, great company and fun while putting those together!! Others whose important
contributions I'd like to recognize are: Jeff Lega -- For
your invaluable work on the "Every Day's A Holiday" convention
collection photos and "Sandra Stillwell Presents" blog
updates! You were an outstanding reporter, and our friends at home thank you as
much as I do! Terri Gold -- Thanks,
too, for sharing your fabulous photography skills and for the
convention coverage! Your multitude of photos help bring convention to life
for those who can't be with us and enable those of us who were there to relive
the fun over and over again!!Gary Reeves -- Quite
simply -- I can't thank you enough for being our "go
to" guy -- ready to do whatever we need! What a huge help
you are!George Sarofeen
-- Thank you for presenting the fascinating Charles James
program (and for being a great tablecloth steamer!) I am in awe of your
knowledge and abilities! Special thanks
goes to "Santa" Michael Zepeda -- You were SUCH a great sport and SO
much fun -- the holidays wouldn't have been the same without you!! You can
be our Santa any time!Much appreciation
also goes to Joan Greene for her generosity in sending
the lovely Greene Lam designs Cordelia doll for centerpieces! She
couldn't have been more perfect!! Joan -- your support and kindness was much
appreciated. You were with us in spirit! Especially
to Dorinda Balenecki and Ken Young from Horsman, Ltd -- Thank
you very much for being a special part of convention again this year
-- and for hosting our "Trick N Treat" Halloween dessert
reception with the fabulous Vita centerpieces! Your invaluable support and
participation is always greatly appreciated! It was an honor to have
you with us again this year and we look forward to your joining us for years to
come!

In addition
to our convention "elves", there were still
others who couldn't be with us but created magic from home --
so I'd like to thank Alana Bennett for her help with petticoats,
Kathy Johnson for the beautiful hairstyles , and Tommy Bennefield for his
fabulous jewelry! Thanks, guys, for the perfect "finishing
touches".And to our manufacturers
across the miles -- THANK YOU for working so hard to get everything to us in
time for the "holiday openings" and so beautifully bringing my
visions to life -- I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished. Most importantly -- to
all of our "Every Day's A Holiday " attendees:For me, personally,
nothing compares to the joy of spending holidays with friends. No words
can sufficiently express my thanks to those of you who made the trip to
Kansas City to make that possible! Your being there truly made
every day of convention a special "holiday" for me!I know it takes sacrifices to attend an event -- and your participation meant
the world to me! I am forever grateful for your support.
I'd also like to extend sincere thanks to the absentees and others who support
convention through purchases, as well as to our generous
"convention helper" donors and each of you who purchased tickets - your
support helps make convention possible each year!And finally, much
appreciation to everyone for your overwhelming enthusiasm for this years
"Every Day's A Holiday" fashion collection. I put my heart --and a
few childhood memories and fantasies -- into this collection, and the fact
that you love it so much means more than I can express.I have some exciting
ideas to explore for our 2014 "Sandra Stillwell Presents" convention
-- so please watch for news about this not to be missed event
I hope to see you all next year!

I hope everyone who attended "Every Day's A Holiday" in
Kansas City had a safe trip home and have been enjoying your holiday treats!

I'm finally home
from Kansas City and now have the rental van unpacked and turned in!

The next task is to respond to
the many requests that have come in for a "Every Day's A Holiday"
convention collection purchases -- I can't begin to tell you how thrilled and
thankful I am with your wonderful response to the fashions!

I've made a list of
your requests and will fill orders according to date and time of receipt. I
will be sending out confirmations as soon as I get through all the orders.

A few of the items sold out at
convention, but I'm fairly certain we should be able to place a reorder as long
as the fabric is available. However, it's important that you let me know asap
if you would like to be placed on a wait list, as it's important to do the
reorders at one time.

Payment for reorders will be
due when the item is ready to ship, but please understand that your request to
be on the wait list is a commitment to purchase.

I'm always happy to try to work
out payments if possible.

For those of you who were
waiting until the "Every Day's A Holiday" available fashions were
added to my sales page, I'm happy to say that my "Sandra Stillwell
Presents" blog has been updated!

A special pre-order collection of fashions that are still in development were debuted in Kansas City. Be sure to check these out and email me if you are
interested in any. These will be produced based on the number of orders I
receive so don't miss out. I do not have exact prices on these but they will
be in close proximity to my listed estimated price.

Feel free to email
me at dls6643@aol.com if you would like to update or place an order -- or if
you have any questions.

Please look for a
more proper "wrap up" post soon -- after the orders are taken care of
and emails answered.....

Thanks again to you ALL for helping to make "Every Day's A Holiday"
such a resounding success!

THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMASInspired by the hostess uniform worn by flight attendants on the Howard Hughes owned airline known as the "airline of the stars", this smart slate blue uniform features a cut out on the shoulder and decorative stitching on the matching hat. Completing the ensemble is a navy blue blouse, shoulder bag, shoes, and white gloves.

This style uniform was worn from 1944 - 1954.

The original inspiration uniform, designed by film designer Howard Greer, can be seen on display at both Kansas City's TWA Museum and the Garment History Museum.

Strapless dress of red and white mini striped cotton features a faux wrap front accented by bows. This firecracker of a fashion is set off perfectly by a navy blue cotton sateen jacket, large navy blue braided hat, shoes and jewelry.

Inspired by a Modes Royale design, circa 1950.

Estimated $135

Hairstyle by Kathy Johnson

﻿

*****

ON THE PLAZA

Gene is "Kansas City chic" in this stunning suit of black and silver tweed. Jacket features decorative tabs and Swarovski crystal buttons. Accessories include a scarlet red wool hat with velvet trim, matching red gloves, jewelry and shoes.

Inspired by a Betty Rose design, circa 1950's.

Estimated $150

Hairstyle by Kathy Johnson

*****

CANDLELIGHT

This companion gift set to Yuletide Splendor features a beautifully tailored jacket in winter white and silver silk shantung paired with a sweeping skirt of brilliant blue chiffon. A fur muff and large hat will keep your favorite doll warm in the brisk evening chill. Pair the matching silk cigarette pants with the jacket for a different look.

Inspired by a Maggy Rouff design, circa 1947.

Estimated $165

*****

SPRING IN HER STEP

This delightful spring ensemble pairs a flirty halter dress of blue and white mini plaid silk taffeta with a coordinating swing coat of an embroidered floral motif. Accessories include gloves, jewelry and shoes.